Win Server 2003 Lockout

Hello, all.

I have another post running in hardware, but while I'm trying to figure out if I need a new HD on my desktop...I busted out my OLD Dell Dimension 8200 with Windows Server 2003 installed.

I just might get the server going again, but the main idea is to get something going to use my giant fancy monitor with - why not the server...?

It's been so long, I can't remember the password. I don't know if I set it to do this back in the day or what, but even when it boots in safe mode it requires the admin password. A a WinServ thing...??

Any hints on how to get it back?

There's no data I need in there - could I use the disk and reinstall?

I was able to get into the bios, and I don't think it has enough :eek to handle installing Windows 7.

 

Is this a member server or a domain controller?

 

You could try either one of the top three suggested password removel/cracker from here...

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/passrecovery.htm

You could also just remove the cmos battery (coin shaped battery on motherboard), leave out for a few minutes this can sometimes remove any passwords.

I would run the Win 7 compatibility tool to see if your machine can be up-graded, I'm running an old dell 1300 on ultimate (mostly with vista drivers).

Yes a fresh install would get rid of the password also.

iain.t :major

 

Heh, can't run any of those, if the user can't get into their computer.

#2 there can work, but there is an easier way to get it done, IF it is a domain controller.

 

I used to host my own site on the machine. I designed the site, but my old tech partner help me set up the hosting. I think I remember going to the site were my domain name was and pointing the URL to the server, so that would make it a controller...?

I don't know. I got the thing as a hand-me-down, and it hasn't been plugged in for over a year.

 

I haven't used a 2003 domain controller for quite some time, we use 2008 r2. I'll spin up a vm with server 2003 r2 and double check a few things.

 

When you hit CTRL + ALT + DEL, you have an options button, what do you get when you click options?

 

Did a dcpromo......

When you hit ctrl + alt + del, do you get a logon to option, when you click "options"?

if not, then.........

Then I've use this quite a bit:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/gr/offlinentpwed.htm

Though, not recently (1 year+)

 

Ctrl + Alt + Del doesn't give me any more options with WinServ 2003

I'm going to try some of the crackers that boot from disk...

 

Hi,
Ophcrack cracked all my windows passwords in 17 secs, and i thought they where very difficult ones!!

iain.t :major

 

Well, good luck then.